Off-road vehicle course associated with commercial complex

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an off-road vehicle course associated with a commercial complex, such as vehicle dealership or group of dealerships, wherein consumers can test drive the off-road vehicles that they are interested in buying before making their purchase decisions, in the off-road conditions that the vehicles are designed for. The present invention also contemplates a business method wherein the dealership or dealerships can promote the off-road vehicle course as a means of attracting customers to the dealership or dealerships. The present invention also contemplates using an off-road vehicle course as a means of providing recreational entertainment to attract patrons to a commercial complex, such as a shopping center.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/426,380, filed on Nov. 15,2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to vehicle courses, and inparticular, an off-road vehicle course operated in association with acommercial complex.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] During the last decade, sports utility vehicles (“SUV”) andfour-wheel drives (often termed “4×4's”) have increased in popularity.These “off-road” vehicles typically offer advantages not provided bysedans and other smaller vehicles. SUV's and most 4×4's typicallyprovide extra interior room for passengers and carrying capacity. Theyare also typically designed with sturdier suspension systems and havegreater ground clearance for better performance and safety in off-roadconditions. They are also often larger and heavier so that they stand upbetter in performance crash tests.

[0004] Manufacturers of off-road vehicles often tout how well theirautomobiles handle and perform in off-road conditions, such as intelevision commercials and the like. For example, many TV commercialsshow off-road vehicles traveling on rough terrain, wherein the messagethat is being conveyed to consumers is how well these vehicles handle,perform and stand up to the most difficult of off-road conditions.

[0005] Yet, vehicle dealerships that sell off-road vehicles typicallyonly allow consumers to test-drive their vehicles on paved roads andstreets, not on off-road terrain. Most consumers that are looking to buyoff-road vehicles, therefore, never get the chance to test-drive thosevehicles under the conditions that they were supposedly designed for.Accordingly, most consumers end up making purchase decisions withouthaving had a chance to test drive the vehicles in off-road conditions,i.e., to determine whether the advertising claims are true.

[0006] Also, a significant percentage of people in this country that buyoff-road vehicles live in suburban areas where there are fewopportunities to drive them off-road. Other than a few sparse areas,there are typically no designated off-road areas or courses availablewhere vehicle owners can take their vehicles off-road for recreationalpurposes. In many cases, locations where they can be driven off-road arehundreds of miles away, making it inconvenient and impractical to do so.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to an off-road vehicle courseassociated with a commercial complex, such as a vehicle dealership orshopping center, which overcomes the disadvantages discussed above.

[0008] When associated with a vehicle dealership, the present inventioncontemplates an off-road vehicle course that is operated in conjunctionwith the dealership. The course, in such case, can be located on,adjacent or near the dealership, and is preferably operated by, or underthe direction of, the dealership. This way, consumers will be able totest drive the off-road vehicles that they are interested in buyingbefore making their purchase decisions, in the off-road conditions thatthe vehicles are designed for.

[0009] The course itself can be created with a variety of differentterrains and obstacles specially designed for off-road vehicles. Forexample, the course can be made using dirt, gravel, sand, rocks, grass,water, etc., and can have hills, slopes, inclines, declines, mounds,pits, bumps, etc., as well as ditches, ravines, bridges, trees, bushes,fences, walls, potholes, etc. These terrains and obstacles can bearranged in any manner that creates an effective and entertaining coursefor test-driving purposes. The course can also be as long or short asneeded, and can have several different paths, if desired, so that morethan one vehicle can be on the course at any given time, without therisk of accident.

[0010] Various methods of operating the course are contemplated. Forexample, the dealership can allow customers the opportunity totest-drive cars for free, based on a judgement of how serious thecustomer might be in buying the vehicle at that time. Likewise, thedealership can charge a fee to each person that uses the course, whereinit can also reimburse the fee if and when a vehicle is purchased fromthat dealership, as a means of giving an incentive. The dealership couldalso allow customers to compare their old vehicles with new ones. Forexample, the dealership could allow customers to drive their ownoff-road vehicles, as well as the new vehicles, which can help customersfully appreciate the differences between them.

[0011] When a group of dealerships is involved, the dealershipspreferably enter into an agreement to have an off-road course developedand/or operated jointly. Dealerships are often clustered together in ageographical area, such as due to restrictive zoning laws. In such case,the off-road course could be located on, adjacent or near one or more ofthe dealerships in the group. The course can also be operated by one ofthe dealerships, a designated independent operator, or jointly by thegroup or more than one dealership, etc. In such case, each dealership inthe group could contribute to the up-front cost of developing thecourse, as well as the cost of maintaining and operating the course, andin return, each dealership could be allowed to use the course, i.e.,allow their customers to test-drive their vehicles on the course. Thedealerships could also jointly contribute to the cost of marketing,advertising, etc.

[0012] The present invention also contemplates a business method whereinthe dealership or dealerships can promote the off-road vehicle course asa means of attracting customers to the dealership(s). For example, whena single dealership is involved, the off-road vehicle course could bedeveloped to draw attention to that dealership, and when a group ofdealerships is involved, the entire group could use the course toattract customers to that location, and away from other locations, whereother dealerships may be located. Being the only dealership or group ofdealerships in that geographical area that can offer the advantages ofan off-road test course can make it more likely that consumers will goto that location.

[0013] The present invention also contemplates using an off-road vehiclecourse as a means of providing recreational entertainment to attractpatrons to a commercial complex, such as a shopping center. Manyshopping malls, especially in rural and suburban areas, are located onopen land. Many outlet malls, for example, are located on wide-openspaces, such as near farms, highways and industrial/commercial areas.These conditions make it commercially feasible and possible for land tobe purchased and an off-road vehicle course to be developed and operatedin conjunction therewith.

[0014] The course could be designed to provide recreational off-roadentertainment for off-road vehicle owners and enthusiasts, which canhave the effect of attracting patrons to the shopping center. Forexample, the off-road course can be operated on or adjacent the shoppingcenter property, which may not only help draw attention to the shoppingcenter, but can also provide a source of entertainment and recreationfor shopping center patrons. The course can also have a few rentalvehicles on hand, and/or allow people with their own off-road vehiclesto drive on the course, i.e., for a fee.

[0015] Operation of the course could also be coordinated so thatdiscounts and incentives can be provided that can help promote retailestablishments located at the shopping center, while at the same time,promoting the course. For example, a discount can be given to a retailestablishment whenever a patron uses the course. Likewise, whenever apatron buys a certain minimum quantity at a retail establishment, adiscount to use the course can be given.

[0016] The present invention also contemplates using the vehicle coursein conjunction with both a vehicle dealership and shopping center,wherein the course can be used to promote not only the cars that arebeing sold at the dealership, but also the shopping center and itsretail establishments, which can be located adjacent or near thedealership.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 shows an off-road vehicle course operated in associationwith a vehicle dealership; and

[0018]FIG. 2 shows an off-road vehicle course operated in associationwith a shopping center having a vehicle dealership located therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Vehicle Dealership

[0019] Vehicle dealerships are like any other business in that they needbusiness income to operate. The main source of income, in such case,comes from automobile sales. While a particular consumer's interest in aparticular dealership will usually come from the interest that he or shehas in the cars that the dealership sells, there is usually greatcompetition among sellers of cars. This is true with respect todealerships that sell competing brand named cars, such as Chevrolet,Ford, Honda and Toyota, but this is also true with respect todealerships that sell the same brand named cars. For example, whilethere is obviously great competition between Chevrolet and Ford, andbetween Honda and Toyota, etc., there can also be great competitionamong dealerships within those same organizations, i.e., betweendifferent Chevrolet dealerships, between different Honda dealerships,between different Ford dealerships, and between different Toyotadealerships, etc., each vying for a share of the business.

[0020] Various promotional offers, including sales and discounts, can beoffered by dealerships to attract customers to their stores.Advertisements on television, radio and newspapers, etc., are commonlyused for this purpose. Various marketing techniques, including offeringbetter financing terms on loans, lower down payments, rebates, freeoptions, higher prices on trade-ins, etc., are often employed.Dealerships also typically pay commissions to sales agents to give themincentives to sell more cars.

[0021] While many dealerships sell certain makes of cars, some of themost popular cars on the market today are SUV's and 4×4's. Names likeJeep Cherokee, Ford Expedition, Honda CRV, Toyota Forerunner, arecommonplace. For this reason, dealerships that carry brand namedautomobiles inevitably carry a number of SUV and 4×4 models, which areextremely popular.

[0022] The present invention relates to a method wherein an off-roadvehicle course can be used in conjunction with a vehicle dealership, toallow its customers to test-drive the off-road vehicles that they areinterested in, under the conditions the vehicles were designed for. Thisway, consumers that are looking to buy a particular off-road vehiclewill have an opportunity to test-drive that vehicle, as well as others,in the off-road conditions that they were designed for, before making apurchase decision.

[0023] When associated with a single vehicle dealership, as shown inFIG. 1, the present invention contemplates that the course can belocated on, adjacent or near the dealership's property. The dealershipcan, for example, convert some of its existing land into an off-roadcourse, or, it can purchase extra land adjacent or nearby thedealership.

[0024] The course itself can have a variety of different terrains andobstacles. For example, the course can be made using dirt, gravel, sand,rocks, grass, water, etc. It can have hills, slopes, inclines, declines,mounds, pits, bumps, etc., as well as obstacles, including ditches,ravines, bridges, trees, bushes, fences, walls, potholes, etc. Theterrains and obstacles can be arranged in any manner that creates aneffective and entertaining course for test-driving purposes. The coursecan also be as long or short as needed, and can have several differentpaths, if desired, so that more than one vehicle can be on the course atany given time, without the risk of accident.

[0025] Various methods of operating the course are contemplated. Forexample, the course can be operated by the vehicle dealership, or byanother entity under the direction of the vehicle dealership. It canalso be operated for free, based on a judgement of how serious thecustomer might be in buying the vehicle at that time, or, the dealershipcan charge a fee to each driver that uses the course, i.e., the coursecould be a profit-making operation, wherein drivers could be allowed todrive their own vehicles on the course, if desired. The dealership couldalso reimburse customers for using the course if and when a vehicle ispurchased from that dealership, which would not only give the customeran incentive to come to the dealership, but also an incentive topurchase a vehicle there. Discounts on the purchase price of a vehiclewhen the vehicle course is used can also be provided.

[0026] Customers can be allowed to test drive their own off-roadvehicles, as well as the new ones, to help customers compare thevehicles and appreciate the differences between them. In such case, thedealership could show the customer how much better the new vehicles arecompared to the older vehicles.

[0027] The dealership can also dedicate certain off-road vehicles fortest-driving purposes, so that not all vehicles offered for sale areavailable for test-driving. For example, certain vehicles can be setaside specifically for test-driving purposes, which may be advantageousdue to the fact that the test driven vehicles are likely to need extramaintenance, care, and cleaning, to ensure that they are kept in goodcondition. Like rental cars, once the test driven cars are used anddriven on the course, they may only be capable of being sold as usedcars, i.e., at used car prices. The new vehicles that are offered forsale, on the other hand, can be kept new and unused. A dealership may,nevertheless, at its own discretion, allow customers that are close tobuying a vehicle the opportunity to test drive the particular vehiclethat they want to buy, to enable them to see how that particular vehiclehandles and performs on the course. In such case, the dealership maylimit such use to only those situations where the customer has alreadytest driven another dedicated vehicle, and is close to making a purchasedecision. This way, the chances that someone might drive a brand newvehicle on the course, and end up not buying that vehicle, would bereduced.

[0028] The present invention contemplates a method wherein thedealership can advertise the off-road vehicle course as a means ofattracting customers to the dealership. For example, the dealership canpromote the course on television, radio, print advertisements, etc., asa means of increasing the likelihood that consumers will come to thatdealership, instead of another, to test-drive their vehicles.

[0029] In this respect, the present invention contemplates that in anygiven geographical area, a single off-road vehicle course could be madeavailable so that a particular dealership would stand to benefit fromthe course. Being the only dealership in the area to have the course andmake it available to customers will enable it to use the course forpromotional purposes and attract customers to that location.

[0030] The dealership could also operate the course for corporate orgroup outings and functions, i.e., allow SUV and 4×4 enthusiasts theopportunity to drive on the course with their own vehicles. That is, thedealership could allow the course to be rented or used by a particularcompany or group for a limited engagement, wherein a fee could becharged for the use of the facility, i.e., they could charge by thehour. This could be a way for the dealership to not only earn additionalrevenue, but to indirectly promote the course and dealership to thosewho attend the outing or function, and drive on the course.

[0031] Other incentives can be given to attract customers to thedealership. Various discounts and incentives, for example, can be givenfor trying the course. The dealership can give customers who drive onthe course certain discounts that can be used at contractedestablishments, such as restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores,etc., as an incentive for using the course and trying out theirvehicles.

[0032] Preferably, the dealership will obtain insurance sufficient tocover potential liabilities that might arise from operating the course.The dealership can also require customers and other users of the courseto sign waivers of liability for further protection.

[0033] Vehicle dealerships are often clustered together in ageographical area, such as due to restrictive zoning laws. In such case,a group of dealerships can develop, maintain and/or operate an off-roadvehicle course jointly. They can, for example, enter into an agreement,whereby each dealership in the group could contribute to the up-frontcosts and efforts of developing the course, as well as the cost andeffort of maintaining and operating the course, and in return, eachdealership could be allowed to use the course, i.e., allow customers totest-drive their vehicles on the course. The dealerships can alsojointly contribute to the cost and effort of marketing, advertising,etc., wherein the dealerships could use the course as a promotional toolto help attract customers to that location.

[0034] The off-road course can be located on, adjacent or near one ormore of the dealerships in the group. The course can also be operated byone of the dealerships, a designated independent operator, or jointly bythe group or more than one dealership, etc. Rather than having a singledealership be responsible for the entire cost and operation of thecourse, such responsibilities can be spread out between the dealerships,wherein the benefits can also be spread to group members.

[0035] The management of the course would have to take into account theinterests of each dealership. For example, each dealership could makecertain off road vehicles available at the course for test-drivingpurposes, wherein consumers can pick and choose which ones totest-drive. This would give consumers the opportunity to try outdifferent makes and models of vehicles, wherein each dealership would beable to promote and give added exposure for its vehicles. In anotherembodiment, each dealership can be given access to the course during aspecified time, so that at the appropriate time they can send interesteddrivers to the course with their vehicles to be test-driven. In suchcase, a scheduling system would be implemented to ensure that usage ofthe course is properly allocated and prioritized between thedealerships. This can give each dealership the opportunity to controlthe use of the course during the scheduled time, wherein each one canthen give particular attention to the customers that are interested inusing the course to test their vehicles.

[0036] The present invention contemplates that the course could be usedin connection with a business method wherein the dealership or group ofdealerships can promote the off-road vehicle course as a means ofattracting customers to the dealership(s). For example, when a singledealership is involved, the off-road vehicle course could be operated todraw attention to that dealership, and when a group of dealerships isinvolved, the entire group could use the course to attract customers tothat location. The present invention contemplates that the vehiclecourse could be made available in any given metropolitan or geographicalarea, wherein the course could be used as a means of promoting thedealership, or group of dealerships, that operate in that area, therebyincreasing the chances that their customers would visit that locationand/or buy a car from that location. Being the only dealership or groupof dealerships in a geographical area that can offer the advantages ofan off-road test course can make it more likely that consumers will goto that location instead of another.

2. Shopping Center

[0037] The present invention contemplates using an off-road vehiclecourse as a means of providing recreational entertainment to attractpatrons to a commercial complex, such as a shopping center, as shown inFIG. 2. Many shopping malls, especially in rural and suburban areas, arelocated on large open areas. Many outlet malls, for example, are locatedon wide-open spaces, such as near farms, highways andindustrial/commercial areas. These conditions make it commerciallyfeasible and possible for land to be purchased and an off-road vehiclecourse to be developed and operated in conjunction therewith.

[0038] The course itself can be created in much the same manner as thecourse for the car dealership described above. In addition, it can bedeveloped so that it extends through the shopping center, or through theshopping center parking lot, or both. This way, patrons of the shoppingcenter can become spectators, wherein they could see the cars that areon the course, such as from the parking lot or shopping center walkways.This might be especially appropriate for a shopping center that hasvehicle dealerships, automobile supply stores, repair shops, servicestations, tire stores, etc., or other automobile related establishments,located at the shopping center.

[0039] For example, a course can cut through the parking lot, wherein alower level path could be developed, which would not involve any risksto spectators, wherein the path could be made with concrete walls, andhave a floor of dirt, gravel, sand, rocks, etc. The path could then windaround the parking lot and possibly go through a portion of the shoppingcenter, i.e., in another low-level path, with pedestrian bridgesoverhead. The path could also extend out into an open area where therecould be hills, slopes, inclines, etc. Again, the course can be as longor short as needed, and can have several different paths.

[0040] The course could be designed to provide recreational off-roadentertainment for off-road vehicle owners and enthusiasts, which canhave the effect of attracting patrons to the shopping center. This couldhelp draw attention to the shopping center, and provide a source ofentertainment and recreation for shopping center patrons.

[0041] Operation of the course could also be coordinated so thatdiscounts and incentives are provided that help promote retailestablishments located at the shopping center, while at the same time,promoting the course. For example, a discount to a retail establishmentcould be given whenever a patron uses the course. Likewise, whenever apatron makes a purchase, such as a minimum quantity, at one of theretail establishments, a discount to use the course can be given.

[0042] The course can have a few rental vehicles on hand, which can berented for predetermined lengths of time, i.e., an hour, for a fee. Thecourse could also allow people with their own off-road vehicles to driveon the course, i.e., for a fee.

[0043] The present invention also contemplates using the vehicle coursein conjunction with both a vehicle dealership and shopping center,wherein the course can be used to promote not only the cars that arebeing sold at the dealership, but also the shopping center and itsretail establishments, which can be located adjacent or near thedealership.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a vehicle dealership,comprising: providing an off-road vehicle course having off-roadconditions upon which off-road vehicles can be driven; locating saidvehicle course on, adjacent or near the dealership's property; andoperating said off-road vehicle course in a manner that allows potentialcustomers to test-drive the off-road vehicles that are offered for saleby the dealership on said course.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thepotential customers are required to pay a fee to test drive vehicles onsaid course, and wherein the fee paid is reimbursed when the customerpurchases a vehicle from the dealership.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the potential customers are allowed to drive their own vehicleson said course so that they can compare their own vehicles with thosebeing offered for sale by the dealership.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the dealership provides at least one dedicated off-road vehiclethat is specifically set aside to be test driven on said course.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the dealership enables the course to be usedfor a limited time by a customer or group of customers.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the dealership promotes the course as a means ofpromoting the dealership, wherein no other similar course is madeavailable in a predetemined geographical area, so that potentialcustomers that want to test-drive vehicles in off-road conditions willhave to come to that dealership to do so.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein arrangements are made with retail establishments to providediscounts and/or incentives for test-driving vehicles on said course. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of vehicle dealerships haveentered into an arrangement whereby the dealerships contribute to thecosts and/or efforts associated with the development and/or operation ofthe course, and each dealership is allowed to use the course to enablepotential customers to test-drive their vehicles.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the course comprises various terrains and obstacles toprovide an effective test of the vehicle's performance and handling. 10.A vehicle dealership comprising: a plurality of off-road vehiclesoffered for sale; and an off-road course having off-road conditions uponwhich off-road vehicles offered for sale by the dealership can betest-driven by consumers.
 11. The dealership of claim 10, wherein saidoff-road course is located on, adjacent or substantially near thedealership's property, and said off-road course is operated by or onbehalf of the dealership.
 12. The dealership of claim 10, wherein thecourse comprises various terrains and obstacles to provide an effectivetest of the vehicle's performance and handling.
 13. A method ofoperating a commercial complex, comprising: operating a commercialcomplex; providing an off-road vehicle course having off-road conditionsupon which off-road vehicles can be driven; locating said vehicle courseon, adjacent or near the commercial complex; and operating or havingoperated said off-road vehicle course in a manner that allows customersand potential customers that come to the commercial complex anopportunity to drive vehicles on said course.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein certain off-road vehicles are provided that the customersand potential customers can rent for a limited time for a fee.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the customers and potential customers areallowed to drive their own vehicles on said course for a fee.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein a discount on fees or other incentive forusing the course is provided based on purchases made by said customersand potential customers at one or more retail establishments located atsaid complex.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein paying a fee for usingthe course entitles the customers and potential customers to one or morediscounts or other incentives at one or more retail establishmentslocated at said complex.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein no othersimilar course is made available in a predetemined geographical area, sothat the commercial complex can use the vehicle course as a means ofattracting customers and potential customers to that complex and notother complexes.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein said complex is ashopping mall, and the off-road course is located on, adjacent or nearsaid shopping mall.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein said complex isa shopping mall with parking areas, and the off-road course is locatedon or adjacent said parking areas, wherein said course extends throughthe complex in a manner that allows customers and potential customers ofsaid mall to view vehicles on the course.